n
Maori Culture
The Maoris are the native Polynesian people of New Zealand.The Maoris originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia，who arrived in New Zealand by boat around 1150 CE.Over several centuries in separation，the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture，with their own language and special crafts and performing arts.The early Maoris formed tribal(部落的) groups based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organizations.
The arrival of Europeans，starting in the 17th century，brought great changes to the Maori way of life.The Maoris gradually learned from the Western society and culture.The primary relations between the Maoris and Europeans were largely kind，and the two cultures coexisted peacefully.Rising stress over land sales led to conflict in the 1860s.Great social changes，decades of conflict and introduced diseases made the number of the Maoris fall greatly.By the start of the 20th century，the Maori population had begun to recover，and efforts had been made to increase their standing in wider New Zealand society and achieve social justice.Traditional Maori culture therefore enjoyed a great revival.
In 2013，there were about 600,000 Maoris in New Zealand，making up 15% of the national population.They are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand，after European New Zealanders.In addition，more than 120,000 Maoris live in Australia.The Maori language is still spoken to some degree by about a fifth of all Maoris，representing 3% of the total population of New Zealand.Many New Zealanders regularly use Maori words and expressions，such as “kia ora”，while speaking English.
Many Maoris face big economic and social problems，with lower life expectancy and incomes compared with other New Zealand ethnic groups.They suffer higher levels of crime，health problems，and educational underachievement.Some measures have been taken to close the gap between the Maoris and other New Zealanders.
词汇积累 1．originate vi.& vt.起源；发源；创立 2．separation n．隔离；分离；分开；分割 3．primary adj.最初的；初级的；基本的 4．coexist vi.共存；(尤指)和平共处 5．expectancy n．预期；期望 6．underachievement n．成绩不佳 |
1．Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 1?
A．The Maoris came originally from New Zealand.
B．The Maoris were from Polynesian tribes.
C．The Maoris developed their own culture.
D．The Maoris liked to live in separation.
2．What caused the fighting between the Maoris and Europeans?
A．The cultural difference.
B．The social changes.
C．The introduced diseases.
D．The land problem.
3．What can we know about the introduced Maori language?
A．Not all Maoris speak the Maori language.
B．It’s unusual for New Zealanders to speak it.
C．It’s spoken by about a fifth of people worldwide.
D．It’s the second-largest language in New Zealand.
4．What’s the text mainly about?
A．The characteristics of the Maoris.B．The problems the Maoris face.
C．The language the Maoris use.D．The history of the Maoris.
答案精析
1．C 2.D 3.A 4. D
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